Basics

Write an 8-10 page paper on a research topic related to the KCC. This is an ordinary research paper of the kind you have done many times before; an excellent basic guide to writing history papers is available on the writing centre website.

Choosing a Topic

Hopefully many aspects of the project interest you (this document will be updated with a list of suggestions several weeks into the semester). Choose a topic which is broad enough to sustain a mid-length argument of the sort normally found in this type of short research paper. This is a small class, and you see me every week; you should check in with me before the end of the semester to ensure that your topic is a good one.

The research paper stands on its own, but in most cases pieces of the paper can be recycled into the website proper. For this reason, it’s best if group members can choose a variety of topics not too closely bunched to one another. Consult with your classmates about their plans, and if possible avoid excessive overlap in your paper topics.

Marking

As has doubtless generally been your experience, marking proceeds on an evaluation of:

Originality and thoughtfulness of your thesis: Are you making an interesting argument? Is it yours or does it belong to one of your sources?

Quality of your evidence: do you present convincing evidence for each of your claims, supported by compelling arguments?

Structure: is your paper easy to follow, and does each part flow naturally from what comes before?

Style: is your paper a pleasure to read?

Attention to Detail: are your citations properly formatted (please use Zotero and add your citations to the class Zotero bibliography), have you avoided typos, etc.?

(listed in approximately descending order)

Number of Sources

Please don’t ask me how many sources you need. As many as are required! The most interesting part of writing a research paper is doing primary source research, and we are privileged to have a substantial archive of primary sources direct from the KCC. Please make the most of them.